Inserter cap and related features

Abstract

A cap configured and dimensioned to sweep or fold one or more haptics when removed from an insertion device. The cap may further have a pin, one or more snaps and/or one or more locks. The cap may also have one or more ports and/or one or more windows. An insertion system having a handpiece, a cartridge, and a cap configured and dimensioned to sweep or fold one or more haptics when the cap is removed from the insertion system. The cap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the cartridge.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An insertion system, comprising:
 a handpiece having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end,
 wherein the handpiece comprises a body;
 wherein the body comprises a slot near the distal end that is parallel to the longitudinal axis; 
 
 
 a cartridge comprising a delivery tube at a distal end;
 wherein the cartridge is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the handpiece; 
 
 a pin,
 wherein the pin is configured and dimensioned to couple with the slot and move along a distance within the slot; and 
 
 a cap comprising a snap;
 wherein the cap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the cartridge; and 
 wherein the snap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the pin. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises a top and a stem and wherein the stem couples with the slot and is configured and dimensioned to move within the slot. 
     
     
       3. The insertion system of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the stem is offset from a centerline of the pin. 
     
     
       4. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the snap comprises a keyway, wherein the keyway is configured and dimensioned to couple with the pin. 
     
     
       5. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises one or more ports. 
     
     
       6. The insertion system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more ports comprise a funnel shape. 
     
     
       7. The insertion system of  claim 5 , wherein the cap comprises a first port, wherein the first port comprises a funnel shape, wherein the first port is located at a distal end of the cap and is configured and dimensioned to couple with a lumen at a distal end of the cartridge to enable insertion of a fluid into the lumen of the insertion system. 
     
     
       8. The insertion system of  claim 7 , wherein the cap comprises a top, a bottom, a first side and a second side, wherein the cap further comprises a second port, wherein the second port comprises a funnel shape and is located on the bottom of the cap and is configured and dimensioned to couple with an opening in the insertion system to enable insertion of a fluid into the insertion system. 
     
     
       9. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises one or more windows. 
     
     
       10. The insertion system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one window comprises a fill indicator. 
     
     
       11. The insertion system of  claim 9 , wherein at least one window is located on a bottom of the cap and wherein the window runs along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the cap. 
     
     
       12. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises a first lock and a second lock, wherein the first lock is located on a first side and the second lock is located on a second side of the cap, and wherein the first and second side are on opposite sides of the cap. 
     
     
       13. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap further comprises at least two finger grips along at least a portion of a longitudinal axis of the cap and wherein the finger grips are located on opposite sides of the cap. 
     
     
       14. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the cap is made of a clear or translucent material. 
     
     
       15. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the handpiece is made of a clear or translucent material. 
     
     
       16. The insertion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pin comprises a top and a stem. 
     
     
       17. The insertion system of  claim 16 , wherein the top and the stem are configured and dimensioned to allow the pin to couple with the snap in a proper orientation. 
     
     
       18. A method for sweeping a haptic of an IOL, comprising:
 providing an insertion system, a cap, and a pin,
 wherein the insertion system comprises an IOL having a haptic, a cartridge comprising a delivery tube at a distal end and a handpiece having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end;
 wherein the handpiece comprises a body and the handpiece body comprises a slot near the distal end that is parallel to the longitudinal axis; and 
 wherein the cartridge is configured and dimensioned to couple with the distal end of the handpiece; 
 
 wherein the cap comprises a body having a longitudinal axis, a distal end, and a proximal end, and a locking mechanism, wherein the cap body comprises a snap at or near the proximal end, and wherein the snap is configured and dimensioned to couple with the pin; 
 wherein the pin comprises a top and a stem and wherein the stem is configured and dimensioned to couple with the slot and is configured and dimensioned to move within the slot;
 wherein the cap is coupled with a distal end of the insertion system; 
 
 
 deactivating the locking mechanism; 
 advancing the cap in a distal direction to move the pin coupled with the cap along the slot from a first position to a second position; and 
 removing the cap from the insertion system, thereby sweeping the haptic in a distal direction. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first lock and a second lock, wherein the first lock is located on a first side and the second lock is located on a second side of the cap, and wherein the first side and second side are on opposite sides of the cap.